Discussing Discus, The King of the Aquarium, with Kapil Mandrekar
Freshwater fish-keepers have thousands of fish to choose from – but for more experienced aquarists, among the prized gems are the discus. Known by many as ‘the King of the Aquarium,’ these denizens of the Amazon are calm, stately, and - in addition to a unique “disk” shape - are available in beautiful wild-type and aquacultured colors and patterns. My guest today, Kapil Mandrekar - a life-long aquarist, ichthyologist, and conservationist, currently working with Project Piaba - has a special appreciation for, and expertise with discus. Join us, as Kapil shares his life story and explains why discus are worthy of their regal title!
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BIO:
Kapil Mandrekar has been immersed in the world of aquaria since childhood, growing up surrounded by tanks as his father was an avid enthusiast. Kapil loves keeping all kinds of fish and considers himself a “Equal Opportunity Aquarist.” At the tender age of three, Kapil joined the Southwest Michigan Aquarium Society, which ignited his lifelong passion for fish keeping and breeding. While pursuing a degree in Biology at Albion College in Michigan, Kapil had the privilege of collaborating with Dr. Ronald Oldfield on the study of North and Central American Cichlids. Furthering his education in Grad school at SUNY-College of Environmental Science and Forestry in New York, Kapil studied the ecology and conservation of the giant Arapaima in the Lower Amazon region of Brazil. Throughout his career, Kapil has held diverse roles in conservation, aquaculture, the aquarium and pet industry, as a researcher, a professional aquarist at a zoo and as a hatchery manager at a commercial marine aquarium aquaculture facility. Currently, he serves as a Marketing Specialist and biologist for Project Piaba, an organization dedicated to promoting the sustainable and gentle capture of aquarium fish from the Rio Negro in Brazil. Additionally, Kapil works as a consultant in the Aquarium/Pet Industry while continuing his research endeavors in fish studies. During this podcast episode, Kapil will share insights from his travels to the Amazon in pursuit of his childhood favorite, the Discus fish. Exploring their natural habitats and the dynamics of the trade, listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the captivating world of these majestic fish in their wild environment.